A wind of social revolt is blowing over Morocco. Thousands of Moroccans came out on Sunday, February 20, to protest against rising fuel prices and basic necessities.
Protests took place during the celebration of the movement of February 20, 2011. According to local and international media, thousands of demonstrators denounced “the high cost of living and marginalization”.
The protesters also raised slogans denouncing “dictatorship and corruption”, while reiterating demands for freedom and social justice, reports France 24. The demonstrations took place both in Rabat (west of the country) and in Tangier to the north.
Scenes of looting in Kenitra
According to the media, calls for the departure of the head of government, Aziz Akhannouch, businessman and close to King Mohamed VI, were chanted by the demonstrators.
Moroccan media Hesspress posted on Twitter a video of jostling and looting at a weekly fruit and vegetable market in Kenitra.
Fruit and vegetable traders were stormed by Moroccans stealing vegetables in an indescribable crush.
“Driven by the high cost of living and hunger, the population invaded the market of Ouled Djelloul, commune of Ben Mansour (province of Kenitra) to help themselves to basic necessities. These scenes of looting are multiplying, ”worries a surfer. “The Makhzen continues to neglect the Moroccan population on the verge of exploding,” laments another.
According to the Russian agency Sputnik, hundreds of demonstrators gathered on Sunday in front of the Moroccan Parliament to protest against social insecurity. The demonstrators attacked the head of government Akhannouch demanding his departure. A hashtag #Akhannouch_dégage has gone viral on social networks.
MP calls protesters “ dogs… ”
The Moroccan government is made responsible for the general rise in prices in the country. “The duty of a leader is to serve his people, not that the people serve him”, protests a Moroccan internet user. The anger of Moroccans is fed by the feeling of humiliation inflicted on them by the political class indifferent to their fate following the dizzying rise in prices.
A lawmaker close to the head of Morocco’s government has insulted Moroccans who challenge government policy by calling them “barking dogs”.
“We have become dogs, can you imagine how this kind of people has the power to insult us publicly without fear? The disease of superiority overwhelms them, we don’t have the right to express ourselves or even ask questions”, indignantly a Moroccan citizen.
